'Black lung' ailment returns to coal mines

Australian coal miners have walked off the job at Queensland mines because of fears over the resurgence of "black lung" disease, 30 years after it was supposedly eradicated. Queensland authorities confirmed on Tuesday that three cases of pneumoconiosis, or "black lung", had been reported by the state's coal industry this year.

However, Australia's mining union, the CFMEU, told local media on Wednesday that the return of the disease, which has a long latency period and is caused by long-term exposure to coal dust in areas with poor ventilation, has sent shock waves through the industry.

"Workers will walk off mines for their own health," CFMEU Queensland District President Steve Smyth said.